Walsall have appointed Jimmy Mullen as their new manager.

The 55-year-old has been at the club since last September after being appointed as assistant to Richard Money, and took over as caretaker towards the end of the season following Money's resignation after two years in the job.

Mullen began his managerial career at Blackpool in 1989. In 1991 he took over a Burnley, and remained as boss at Turf Moor for a four-and-a-half years.

Chairman Jeff Bonser told the club's official website: "We have had a number of interesting applicants but Jimmy stood out as the right man for the job.

"He has a wealth of experience, holds the highest possible coaching qualifications, and has an inside working knowledge of the club.

"As you would expect, we had a large number of applicants for the position. From those applicants, a short-list of five was drawn up by the Board, all of which were given serious consideration.

"After a number of formal meetings with all the prospective candidates, it was Jimmy who was the strongest candidate.

"He has a proven track record as a manager following a very successful spell at Burnley and, during his time here, has impressed everyone with his knowledge and passion for the game."

Mullen added: "I am proud and delighted to have been appointed team manager.

"I am well aware of the calibre of the applicants who had applied for the job, which makes me all the more delighted to have been given this opportunity.

"First of all we must look at the recruitment of players for the new campaign. This will be my priority in the coming weeks and I am looking forward to putting a squad together that is capable of building on what was achieved last season.

"The foundations are in place for the club to move forward and I am relishing the challenge."

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